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Note 1 - Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Property, Plant, and Equipment Useful Lives [Table Text Block] |
Buildings (in years) |  |  |  | 39
Construction equipment (in years) |  | 5 | - | 15
Land improvements (in years) |  | 5 | - | 15
Office furniture and fixtures (in years) |  | 3 | - | 10
Transportation equipment (in years) |  |  |  | 5
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] |
|  | Years Ended December 31, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) attributable to Sterling common stockholders |  | $ | (297 | ) |  | $ | (35,900 | ) |  | $ | 19,087 |
Revaluation of noncontrolling interest put/call liability reflected in additional paid in capital or retained earnings, net of tax |  |  | (3,992 | ) |  |  | (824 | ) |  |  | (449 | )
|  | $ | (4,289 | ) |  | $ | (36,724 | ) |  | $ | 18,638 |
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic |  |  | 16,421 |  |  |  | 16,396 |  |  |  | 16,195 |
Shares for dilutive stock options and warrants |  |  | -- |  |  |  | -- |  |  |  | 368 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions— diluted |  |  | 16,421 |  |  |  | 16,396 |  |  |  | 16,563 |
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders |  | $ | (0.26 | ) |  | $ | (2.24 | ) |  | $ | 1.15 |
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders |  | $ | (0.26 | ) |  | $ | (2.24 | ) |  | $ | 1.13 |

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